The U.S. Marshals Service-led Detroit
Fugitive Apprehension Team (DFAT) conducted a three-day sex offender sweep
in the City of Detroit from Tuesday through today. DFAT -- comprising the
U.S. Marshals, Michigan State Police, Wayne County Sheriff’s Department,
Detroit Police Department, Dearborn Police Department, Livonia Police
Detroit Department, Sterling Heights Police Department, Macomb County
Sheriff’s Department, Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, Hamtramck Police
Department, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Michigan Department of
Corrections -- works in concert to arrest dangerous fugitive felons as well
as sex offenders. TOAST, which stands for Tracking Offenders and
Apprehending Significant Targets, targeted sex offenders in the Detroit
Area. There are currently 800 non-compliant sex offenders within the City of
Detroit, 400 of whom have outstanding warrants for criminal offenses.

More than 80 officers worked the sweep
that netted 70 Sex Offender Registry Felony arrests. These felonies were for
cases that involved violent sexual assaults. Also, there were six Friend of
the Court arrests, 19 misdemeanor arrests and 656 potential violations of
sex offender laws investigated and cleared. Finally, 83 Detroit Police, 63
Michigan State Police and 22 U.S. Marshals Adam Walsh Act felony
investigations have been initiated from information gathered during the
sweep.

One case involved Shantee Brown who was
wanted for bond jumping. His original charge was for 1st degree sexual
assault, kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, felony firearm and 3rd
degree sexual assault. He was given bond on the case and fled the State of
Michigan Sept. 13. DFAT tracked Brown to Birmingham, Ala. The U.S.
Marshals-led Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force worked the case and
arrested Brown Sept. 26. Brown attempted to flee from officers on a bike but
was apprehended after being chased. He is currently awaiting extradition to
Michigan.

The U.S. Marshals were given federal
responsibility under the Adam Walsh Act in 2006 to apprehend federal sex
offenders. Part of this responsibility is to partner with state and local
law enforcement to ensure that sex offenders register under the law and
arrest those who do not.

“DFAT is an outstanding example of law
enforcement at all levels coming together for the common purpose of removing
violent fugitives and sex offenders from the streets and neighborhoods of
our communities,” U.S. Marshal Robert M. Grubbs said. Grubbs said he could
not be any prouder of the efforts of all the officers involved.

Wayne County Sheriff Benny N. Napoleon
echoed Grubb’s comments. “The collaboration that went into getting these
violent offenders off the street must be commended,” he said. “I know the
effort prevented a number of innocent people from becoming their next
victims. We will continue teaming up to send the message that fleeing
custody is not an option because you will be caught and face the
consequences in court.”